Avoiding mouthleaks / mouthbreathing

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:36 am

The recent mouthleak discussions, and my own experience have got me thinking how many members of this forum can benefit from therapy without taking special measures to avoid mouthleaks.

My experience was similar to Suzy's: it took me months to decide that my mouthleaks should be taken care of. And once I did, my sleep was much more relaxed.

So, for the sake of new comers, here's poll about solving mouthleaks.

I tape. Can't even find anything that seems to be polygrip around here.

O.

felineperson3 · Post by **felineperson3** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:58 am

In the beginning of my therapy I did occasionally use tape when I realized that I must be doing mouth breathing when I would awaken with such an extremely dry mouth. However, over time it seems that I have developed a knack for keeping my mouth closed as the dry mouth issue seldom occurs anymore. So for the poll I voted that I keep my mouth closed.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:44 pm

Bump

If you answer - say something - anything - otherwise the thread will get lost beneath the newer ones. Poll answers don't seem to bring it up.

Thanks,
O.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:46 pm

I'm sure you can guess which one I selected.....

Den

BNLfan · Post by **BNLfan** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:53 pm

If I decide to use a non-full face mask, I use a chinstrap.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:07 pm

..still using the 3M Micropore tape..

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:07 pm

Wulfman wrote:
I'm sure you can guess which one I selected....

Well,,, I CAN envision a wulf in a muzzle!

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:13 pm

I am partial to tape. Sometimes use a stocking leg too since it stabalizes the swift and serves to encourage my mouth to stay closed. But for me tape is essential.

beneyw · Post by **beneyw** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:23 pm

I started using the tape...so far can only find the one inch tape but 2 or 3 pieces solves it. Interesting though...anyone ever think of the UNLIKELY but still possible chance of regurgitation or vomiting as a potentially dangerous occurrence given the right conditions?

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:09 pm

I tried nasal pillows masks, full face masks and nasal masks. I found the tape method works but the relaxing of the jaw and tongue dropping down from the roof of the mouth did not help as air in my mouth would wake me up. By far the full face mask is what works best for me as long as the leaks can be dealt with. Full face is what I checked in the poll even though I have the activa right now.

Also as a side note to this I found that when measuring for a full face mask they ask for the full face dimension (number 5 in the list of measurements on cpap.com site). If you measure the way they show you (mouth closed) you could get an error in fit. For example I measured with my mouth closed and ended up with a measurement of 3 and 7/8 inches but when relaxed and my mouth opened a little the measurement changed to 4 inches. That 1/8 inch difference is enough to make the size change from a medium standard to a large standard. This could make all the difference in the world in resolving leakage from the mask.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:50 pm

I expect to be taping from now on. Guess I will ask to be laid up in the casket with tape in place.

Hendrix · Post by **Hendrix** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:51 pm

beneyw wrote:I started using the tape...so far can only find the one inch tape but 2 or 3 pieces solves it. Interesting though...anyone ever think of the UNLIKELY but still possible chance of regurgitation or vomiting as a potentially dangerous occurrence given the right conditions?

I wish you had brought this up sooner.

Jimi

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:31 pm

I use full-face mask (UMFF) but have lately been waking up with dry mouth anyway. I'm having trouble getting a mouth-part seal. I've also started flonase/rhino cort the last few days, but that takes 2 weeks to be fully effective. I'm hoping that once I get my nose clear for a full night, I can go back to Activa or at least not have leaks with UMFF. Can't find my moleskin...guess I need to buy more.

Caroline

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:46 pm

You left out one of the most important options.

Swim in DeNile, Continue fooling yourself that you aren't mouthbreathing, and wonder why XPAP doesn't work as good for you. Jim

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:51 pm

[quote="chdurie2"]I use full-face mask (UMFF) but have lately been waking up with dry mouth anyway. I'm having trouble getting a mouth-part seal. I've also started flonase/rhino cort the last few days, but that takes 2 weeks to be fully effective. I'm hoping that once I get my nose clear for a full night, I can go back to Activa or at least not have leaks with UMFF. Can't find my moleskin...guess I need to buy more.

Caroline

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection

Avoiding mouthleaks / mouthbreathing

How do you avoid mouthleaks

Avoiding mouthleaks / mouthbreathing